Numbers 27:1-11 / Show Me Your Faith
📖 Scripture
1 The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. They came forward
2 and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said,
3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the Lord, but he died for his own sin and left no sons.
4 Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.”
5 So Moses brought their case before the Lord,
6 and the Lord said to him,
7 “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.
8 “Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter.
9 If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers.
10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.
11 If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it. This is to have the force of law for the Israelites, as the Lord commanded Moses.’”
✅ Scripture Summary
✅ Memory verse
✅ Reflection
Ask and You Shall Receive (27:1–7)
Preparations are underway as the Israelites ready themselves to enter Canaan. The land is to be divided among the tribes and clans of Israel, but since property is normally passed from father to son, the name of the sonless and deceased Zelophehad will be forgotten. For this reason, Zelophehad’s daughters appeal to the leaders of Israel, and Moses brings their case before the Lord. God tells Moses that the daughters are right and that they should be given property as an inheritance. We see the fruit of coming boldly before God’s throne of grace, asking expectantly and in faith. Often such requests open the door for God’s blessings to flow not only into our lives but also into the lives of others.
Consider what prevents you from making a bold request to God for your needs or the needs of others. What examples or promises from Scripture can help you pray for these needs?
Faith and Vision (27:8–11)
There is a deeper truth in this story of the daughters of Zelophehad. Remember, the previous generation of Israelites died in the wilderness because of their lack of faith. The land of Canaan is yet to be conquered, but the daughters of Zelophehad, as the new generation, make a bold request about their future that leads to further rules about inheritance for those who do not have sons or any children at all. The names of Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah should be remembered because the faith of these ladies serve as an inspiration for us today. Bold faith can bring vision into reality and greater blessings to those in our community.
In what ways do these daughters inspire you to greater faith regarding God’s vision and will for your life? Ask for open eyes to see how the younger generation can bring their faith-filled visions into reality.
“The remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that the life and power comes after we ‘get up and get going.’”
– Oswald Chambers
✅ Prayer
✅ Essay
Approaching the Lord
Have you ever felt intimidated to approach the Lord with one of your needs or desires? If you are like me, you may have erroneously thought that your requests do not matter in God’s great plan or that the Lord will not change any circumstance because of your prayers. However, Scripture tells us that God wants us to come to Him with our requests, and He delights in answering the prayers of His children. Philippians 4:6 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,” and Mark 11:24 states, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
There are various examples in the Bible of God hearing the prayers of His people and, in His great wisdom, allowing those prayers to change the situation. We see one such example in Exodus 32. The Lord is angered by the Israelites’ disobedience and says He will destroy them, but Moses intercedes, pleading for God to show mercy and compassion, and the Lord decides to spare the Israelites. Likewise, in Numbers 27, five daughters approach Moses to ask for their father’s inheritance, and God decides to grant their request, even though this is not included in inheritance law at the time. May these examples be an encouragement to approach the Lord with all of your needs and requests, filled with confidence and trusting that His promises for you are “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Cor. 1:20).
Written by Natasha Spiers